FDOT Public Hearing - Bradenton-Palmetto Connector PD&E Study, FPID 444843-1, Manatee County The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study in Manatee County. Participate in the Thursday, July 16, 2026, hearing: IN-PERSON OPTION Manatee County Fairgrounds, Veterans Hall 1402 14th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 Anytime between 5 – 6 p.m. Open house 6 p.m. Formal presentation and testimony/comment Displays will be available starting at 5 p.m. to review at your own pace and the project team will be available for discussion. The formal presentation and comment period will begin at 6 p.m. LIVE ONLINE OPTION Register in advance: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8590632136475845719 5:45 p.m. Overview for how to submit comment 6 p.m. Formal presentation and comment period This event will include a livestream of the in-person presentation and the formal comment portion. Please review the materials on project webpage before attending the virtual event (https://www.swflroads.com/project/444843-1). Materials will be posted by July 9, 2026. This hearing is being conducted to present the Preferred Alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. The proposed project is subject to the requirements of Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act, and the project may result in a use within the meaning of Section 4(f). FDOT is seeking public review and comment on potential effects to protected activities, features, or attributes of Section 4(f) properties. Project documents will be available for public viewing from Thursday, June 25, 2026, to Monday, July 27, 2026, online at www.swflroads.com/444843-1 or in-person during normal business hours at the following locations: In-Person Locations: Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Boulevard West, Bradenton, FL 34205 Palmetto Branch Library, 923 6th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221 FDOT Manatee Operations Center, 14000 East S.R. 64, Bradenton, FL 34212. Please contact FDOT Project Manager, Michelle Rutishauser, to schedule an appointment. If you are unable to attend the hearing, comments can also be provided through the project webpage https://www.swflroads.com/project/444843-1 or by email Michelle.Rutishauser@dot.state.fl.us or mail FDOT District One, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Attn: MS 1-40, Bradenton-Palmetto Connector PD&E Study. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by Monday, July 27, 2026, to be included in the formal hearing record. All comments are weighed equally. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT Project Manager Michelle Rutishauser at (813) 380-7121. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the public hearing. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by FHWA and FDOT. IPL0352408 Jun 28 2026